Robots Change Lives, So Does Camp

By Greg Kellner, Director, URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech AcademyRecently a 4-year old girl received a present that would change her life forever… a hand. Harmony Taylor, a child from Cedar Springs, MI was born without a hand and when her parents could not afford a new prosthesis for her, a local r...

Recently a 4-year old girl received a present that would change her life forever… a hand. Harmony Taylor, a child from Cedar Springs, MI was born without a hand and when her parents could not afford a new prosthesis for her, a local robotics team stepped in and used some of the most modern technology available to create a hand with working fingers. The Cedar Springs West Catholic Robotics Team worked with the local hospital to make a cast of her hand. The robotics team then employed a 3-D printer to print the robotic hand and attached elastic cabling that will help the fingers mimic wrist movements that control the hand. Now Harmony will be able to use her robotic hand for many of the things that any normal hand would do. Robotics is the forefront of assistive technology, from prosthetics, to robot assisted surgery, to tongue controlled devices for quadriplegics. In every way, robots are doing their part in tikkun olam, repairing the world. At 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, campers will have an opportunity to understand how a robot can change someone’s life and get to build their very own robot too.

At 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, the Union for Reform Judaism’s 14th camp opening summer 2014, campers will have the opportunity to explore, create, imagine and innovate using knowledge and creativity to build robots, create video games, explore their environment and film movies. Choosing one of these tracks, campers will spend two and a half hours each day building, creating and learning from one another and from counselors who have a passion for science and technology. Faculty will teach campers how Judaism integrates into these areas and how values are a part of inventing and innovating. 6 Points Sci-Tech is located at the Governor’s Academy, 30-minutes north of Boston. On the campus, campers will have the opportunity to take advantage of modern computer labs, incredible food service and a wealth of outdoor space including expansive wetlands that will be great for nature walks and as a fantastic learning laboratory. Campers will live in modern dorms that give the comfort of a college campus with a feel of a warm and welcoming camp environment. Together we will sing camp songs, shout cheers, stargaze (with telescopes of course), and celebrate Shabbat in a meaningful way.

This summer, 6 Points Sci-Tech will welcome campers in grades 5-9, from the northeast and across the country to experience 2, 4 or 6 weeks of exploration and fun. Our staff and campers together will create new traditions and new experiences as pioneers in our inaugural summer. Just as our ancestors made Israel into a blossoming land flowing with milk and honey, our campers will make camp bloom with friendship, vibrancy and a pride for being Jewish. 6 Points Sports builds upon the success of many of our wonderful URJ Camp programs including our MA sister camps, Eisner and Crane Lake as well as 6 Points Sports Academy located in Greensboro, NC. All of our progams offer campers an opportinity to experience what it means to build Jewish identity in a warm and caring environment.

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